Earth to the Dandy Warhols

iTunes Review

Once upon a time the Dandy Warhols were signed to a major label and attempted to become the next “cult” band that broke through to a wider audience. However, these Portland, Oregon rockers were always too weird, too arty, and too likely to go off on buzzing and droning tangents that would alienate all but the hearty few who truly enjoyed a slightly macabre soundtrip. In 2008, the Dandys have their own record label and stretch out and experiment to their own self-indulgent delight. They’ve dropped a bit of their junkie-rocker swagger in favor of quake-shifting sonics that often sound like several songs playing at once. “Talk Radio” is based on a simple chord progression that is consistently rattled by sound effects and sudden instrumental detours before returning to its primal pattern. “Welcome to the Third World” turns to Talking Heads funk for bizarre twists in sound. “Now That You Love Me” uses a muddled production to obscure its straight-forward pop basis. Backwards instrumentation adds another layer of trippiness to the banjos, sawed-off violins, and buried chanting of “Love Song.” And nearly 15 minutes of noodling through “Musee D’Nougat” exposes the band’s desire for complete sonic indulgence.